Estethica at LFW AW13

For the fourteenth consecutive season, Estethica, founded by the British Fashion Council (BFC), will be promoting sustainable fashion at The Exhibition at London Fashion Week. Housed in the West Wing of Somerset House it will showcase 14 designers’ AW13 collections, from 15th – 19th February 2013.

New to the Estethica area this season are accessories brand Bottletop, ready-to-wear designers Katrien Van Hecke and Phannatiq, Estethica/Veolia Resource Competition winner Liora Lassalle, and jewellery brand Ruda Rings. Making a return to Estethica this season are Beautiful Soul, Goodone, Lost Property of London and special guest footwear brand, Veja. Ada Zanditon and Henrietta Ludgate will also showcase their ready to wear lines alongside knitwear brand The North Circular and milliners Mich Dulce and Pachacuti.

At the helm of this season’s special guest brand Veja are French designer duo Sébastien Kopp and Franҫois-Ghislain Morillion. Veja offers footwear and accessories using materials such as organic cotton, wild Amazonian rubber and acacia, tanned leather. An exciting new addition for February 2013 is emerging womenswear designer Katrien Van Hecke; her collection is also part of the Netherlands International Fashion Showcase installation, ‘High Fashion Low Countries’.

Estethica designers have been chosen for their design excellence and commitment to working in a sustainable way. All designers adhere to at least one of the key Estethica principles of fair trade and ethical practice in the production process; the inclusion of organic fibres and the use of up-cycled and recycled fabrics and materials. Over the past seven years Estethica has supported over 100 designers.

This season Liora Lassalle, winner of the Estethica/Veolia Re-source competition with Central Saint Martins will unveil her first collection at the Estethica Exhibition. In addition to showcasing during London Fashion Week Liora has received mentoring from Reclaim to Wear founder Orsola de Castro, Willie Walters (CSM) and Anna Orsini (BFC), and secured her first online stockist on YOOXYGEN, yoox.com’s eco-friendly initiative.

Caroline Rush, CEO of the BFC, said “Estethica is regarded as a leading showcase of ethical fashion and this season sees a diverse mix of both established and emerging ethical brands. Estethica offers press and buyers a unique selection of carefully selected designers and is a must-see in the London Fashion Week Exhibition this season.”

The Estethica exhibition is housed in the West Wing of Somerset House, just off the BFC Courtyard Show Space from Friday 15th to Monday 18th February, 10:00am – 7:00pm and Tuesday 19th February 10:00am – 6:00pm.